- For other uses, see Limiter Ring (disambiguation).
The Limiter Rings[1] (リミッターリング[2] Rimittā Ringu?), also known as the Inhibitor Rings[3] and gold rings,[4] are objects that appear in the Sonic the Hedgehog series. They are rings worn by Shadow the Hedgehog to restrain his power which he has worn since his creation onboard the Space Colony ARK.
Description[]
Shadow removing his Limiter Rings, from Sonic the Hedgehog (2006).
The Limiter Rings are golden rings that Shadow the Hedgehog wears on his wrists and ankles.[4] When worn, they limit the amount of innate power that Shadow uses during combat and other situations. When he takes them off, Shadow can tap into his full strength, giving him a drastic boost in power, though at the risk of over-exerting himself.[4]
The Limiter Rings cannot be opened; instead, they glow and slide off Shadow's wrists as if they are intangible when he removes them, and lock back on when he puts them back on.
History[]
Sonic Adventure 2[]
First appearing alongside Shadow's debut in Sonic Adventure 2, the Limiter Rings were not named, but at Shadow's presumed death upon defeating the Finalhazard, Sonic gave one of the rings he retrieved to Rouge the Bat.
Sonic the Hedgehog (2006)[]
In Sonic the Hedgehog (2006), when Mephiles the Dark had stolen Shadow's Chaos Emerald to add to his own and replicated numerous clones of himself into an army, Shadow removed his Limiter Rings to boost his attack power and wiped out all of the Mephiles clones. Afterwards, Shadow reattached his Limiter Rings.
In other media[]
Sonic X[]
The Limiters, from Sonic X.
In the Sonic X anime series, the Limiters also possess their power-inhibiting properties on Shadow since they were first introduced.
The Limiters' properties were first demonstrated when Super Shadow released them in order to send the Space Colony ARK back into orbit. Chris would keep one of them to remember Shadow after he disappeared. During his battles with the Metarex, Shadow would occasionally release his Limiters.
Archie Comics[]
Shadow removing his Inhibitor Rings, from Sonic Universe #62.
In the Sonic the Hedgehog comic series and its spin-offs published by Archie Comics, the Inhibitor Rings inhibit Shadow's power (in the original continuity they limited his access to the Chaos Force). When Shadow removes them, he can transform into Chaos Shadow.
Unlike previous games, these Inhibitor Rings can be opened instead of sliding off, as shown in the picture to the right. They seem to bend despite being made out of the rock-hard gold mineral.
Trivia[]
- It was the Sonic X anime series which first presented the idea of Shadow using up more energy when taking off his Limiters. This idea eventually made its way into the games and was then used in the comics.
- In Sonic Heroes, Shadow still has both his Limiter Rings even though he lost one of them in Sonic Adventure 2.
- In the Last Story of Sonic Adventure 2, the single Limiter Ring given to Rouge is referred to as a "bracelet". This may be due to how the rings appear in the in-game models, bearing slap bracelet-esc ends rather than completely smooth surfaces.
- Mephiles the Dark wore rings on his wrists resembling Limiter Rings in his second form, although it is unknown if they shared the same functions, or were for purely cosmetic purposes.
- It is unclear whether Shadow Androids wear Limiter Rings as well or if their bracelets are purely cosmetic or replicas.
Gallery[]
Models[]
References[]
- ↑ Shadow 101: A Brief History of Shadow the Hedgehog (English). YouTube. Sonic the Hedgehog (11 July 2024). Retrieved on 11 July 2024. "Dr. Eggman: Second item of note: Shadow's Limiter Rings. These are designed to keep his power in check. When he takes them off- ho-ho-hoo, boy... It's like a raging furnace. He's virtually unstoppable for a short time."
- ↑ 【解説】シャドウ・ザ・ヘッジホッグの能力 と過去 Shadow 101 (日本語字幕) (Japanese). YouTube. ソニック・ザ・ヘッジ ホッグ【公式】 (11 July 2024). Retrieved on 13 July 2024.
- ↑ Devra Newberger Speregen (2016). Sonic: The Ultimate Character Guide. Scholastic. p. 31. ISBN 978-1338033243.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Sega (13 November 2011). Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games. Wii. Sega. Area/level: London Party. "Shy Guy: What does Shadow wear on his wrists and ankles? / [Answer is revealed to be "gold rings"] / Shy Guy: He's faster and stronger without the rings, but he gets worn out more quickly!"
